Split air conditioner

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a split air conditioner ( 10 ), comprising: an indoor unit ( 12 ); an outdoor unit ( 14 ); the indoor unit ( 12 ) being connected to the outdoor unit ( 14 ) by a horizontal bar ( 16 ), thereby allowing using a windowsill ( 52 ) as a support to the split air conditioner ( 10 ); the indoor unit ( 12 ) being pivotally connected to the horizontal bar ( 16 ) by a horizontal pivot ( 20 ), a vertical pivot ( 22 ), and a longitudinal pivot ( 28 ) of the indoor unit ( 12 ); thereby providing to the indoor unit ( 12 ) ability to be directed to any direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of split air conditioners. More particularly, the invention relates to a structure providing immediate installation of a split air conditioner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A split air conditioner includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The outdoor unit includes the compressor, and is conventionally fixed to a wall outside, or placed outside on the floor. The indoor unit is conventionally fixed to a wall inside a room or placed inside on the floor. After disposition and fixing, a technician connects refrigerant piping, water piping for condensate water, and electrical wiring between the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. This split structure is regarded as providing better efficiency than other structures.

However, the conventional fixing of the split air conditioner requires professionals. In particular the appropriate accurate amount and pressure of refrigerant must be provided. Transfer of the fixed air conditioner to another site requires again professionals.

A portable split air conditioner includes an outdoor unit sold connected to an indoor unit, thus not requiring professionals for installation. However, the typical design thereof is different from the typical fixed split air conditioner in that the indoor unit of the portable split air conditioner includes the compressor, for making the outdoor unit lightweight for providing easy hanging thereof. This is disadvantaged as making the indoor unit noisy. Also the air conditioner is less efficient than the fixed split air conditioner.

Structures for firmly fixing the outdoor unit of fixed split air conditioners to the indoor unit, render the whole air conditioner cumbersome.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an immediate installation not requiring drilling, providing separation of the indoor environment from the outdoor environment, which may fit various sizes of windows and doors, without occupying a significant portion of the area of the windows or the doors. Since this installation is limited to a given location of a window or a door, relative latitude of locating the indoor unit is required. The installation must as well provide removal of condensate to the outside, and shall provide improved air circulation of the indoor unit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

-   -   In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a split air         conditioner (10), comprising: an indoor unit (12); an outdoor         unit (14); the indoor unit (12) being connected to the outdoor         unit (14) by a horizontal bar (16), thereby allowing using a         windowsill (52) as a support to the split air conditioner (10);         the indoor unit (12) being pivotally connected to the horizontal         bar (16) by a horizontal pivot (20), a vertical pivot (22), and         a longitudinal pivot (28) to the indoor unit (12); thereby         providing of the indoor unit (12) ability to be directed to any         direction.

The split air conditioner (10) may further comprise a vertical bar (54) extending downwards from the horizontal bar (16), for supporting the indoor unit (12) when being placed on a floor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the vertical bar (54) is extendible, thereby allowing adjusting a vertical position of the vertical bar (54).

-   -   The split air conditioner (10) may further comprise a at least         one tightening element (18, 30), for securing the split air         conditioner (10) to a wall.         -   The split air conditioner (10) may further comprise a water             piping deployed (44) from the indoor unit (12) for             collecting condensate water from the indoor unit (12) across             the rack (16) by gravity.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the horizontal bar (56) is hollow, for housing piping and/or wiring.

The split air conditioner (10) may further comprise a longitudinal air separator (32) attached to the horizontal bar (56), for separating air of an indoor environment from air of an outdoor environment, the longitudinal air separator (32) having a width substantially of the horizontal bar (56).

-   -   According to one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal         air separator (32) is attachable to the horizontal bar (56),         thereby allowing attaching the longitudinal air separator (32)         above and/or below the horizontal bar (56).

The abovementioned attachability may be applied by a magnet (33) and the like.

The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split air conditioner installed in a window, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the installed split air conditioner of FIG. 1 from the outside.

FIG. 2A is similar to FIG. 1, except for rotating the indoor unit about the vertical pivot.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the split air conditioner of FIG. 1, uninstalled.

FIG. 4 depicts another mode of use of the split air conditioner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts a deployment of the split air conditioner using the mode of FIG. 4, installed and viewed from the inside.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split air conditioner installed in a window, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A split air conditioner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rack 16 extending from an internal side 50 of a wall to the external side of the wall; an indoor unit 12 mounted to rack 16 in a movable manner; and an outdoor unit 14 preferably rigidly fixed to the other side of rack 16.

Rather than drilling hole(s) in the wall for fixing outdoor and indoor units 12 and 14 to the wall, the weight both of indoor unit 12 and of outdoor unit 14 of air conditioner 10 is based, according to one mode of use depicted in FIG. 1, on the windowsill 52. Rather than drilling in the wall for threading the refrigerant pipes, water piping and the wiring, the piping and the wiring cross from side to side through a hollowed horizontal bar 56 of rack 16, crossing the window frame 34.

According to one embodiment, rack 16 includes two parallel bars 54, namely one bar 54 for being vertically disposed, leaning on the internal side 50 of the wall, and another parallel bar 54 for being vertically disposed, leaning on the external side 50 of, the wall; and horizontal bar 56 connecting the two parallel bars 54.

The horizontal bar 56, in FIG. 1, leans on windowsill 52. Each of vertical bars 54 leans on the wall, namely, one vertical bar 54 on the internal side of the wall and the other vertical bar 54 on the external side of the wall. The leaning onto the wall, preferably, is via tightening elements 18 and 30 (not shown).

Preferably, rack 16 is fixed to outdoor unit 14 at a location providing minimum rotation of outdoor unit 14 induced by side weight thereof. Outdoor unit 14 may be designed to place the compressor thereof at a location fitted for stabilizing outdoor unit 14 in relation to the connection to rack 16.

The user must place horizontal bar 56 preferably at the end of the window, thus since horizontal bar 56 is narrow, only a relatively narrow portion at the end of the window cannot be closed. For a typical window including transparent glass, most of the area of the glass remains transparent and active, namely, the entire area except for the width of horizontal bar 56.

The width of horizontal bar 56 need not exceed a width for bearing the weight of outdoor unit 14, e.g. 1 to 10 centimeters for a residential outdoor unit.

A relatively narrow longitudinal air separator 32 extending perpendicular to horizontal bar 56 of rack 16, and a telescopic extension 31 extending from longitudinal air separator 32, having the same width of rack 16, may fill the space of the width of horizontal bar 56 thereabove, for separating the air of the indoor environment from the air of the outdoor environment.

Thus, rack 16 attached to longitudinal air separator 32 having its extension longitudinal element 31 occupy a relatively negligible portion of the window, and it may fit any window. The installation does not require any drilling in the wall, and thus may be performed by a non-skilled person.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the installed split air conditioner of FIG. 1 from the outside.

Outdoor unit 14 is shown at the front hung on rack 16. Beyond the window, indoor unit 12 is shown erected.

This erected disposition of indoor unit 12 above rack 16 is advantaged of transferring the condensate water from indoor unit 12 via a water pipe within or parallel to rack 16, to the outside environment by gravity only, by water gathering piping deployed as illustrated by arrow 44. Thus, the refrigerant piping, the water pipe and the wiring does not require any drilling in the wall, since rack 16, which does not require any such drilling, may contain all the piping and wiring.

This erected disposition of indoor unit 12 above rack 16 is also advantaged of improved air circulation in the apartment.

Since rack 16 without any of the indoor or outdoor units may be sufficient for mounting air conditioner 10 to the wall, indoor unit 12 may be connected to rack 16 via a pivotal connection or another movable mounting, thus providing several parameters of rotation thereto and other motions therebetween. A vertical (in reference to the installed and to the uninstalled state) pivot 20 may provide rotating arm 24 which holds indoor unit 12.

FIG. 2A is similar to FIG. 1, except for rotating the indoor unit about the vertical pivot.

In FIG. 2 (and in other figures) indoor unit 12 is shown, for illustrative purposes, in front of the window, thus partially disturbing use of the window. FIG. 2A depicts indoor unit 12 rotated about vertical pivot 20 for being disposed proximate to the wall thus not covering the window. The rotation of arm 24 about vertical pivot 20 changes the location of indoor unit 12

Pivot 22 allows disposing indoor unit 12 in a relatively folded state. This folding is required in the uninstalled state for shipping.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the split air conditioner of FIG. 1, uninstalled.

Rack 16 includes horizontal bar 56, which is relatively narrow. Horizontal bar 56 is fixed at a first end 36 thereof to outdoor unit 14, substantially at the top of outdoor unit 14. In another aspect, horizontal bar 56 is fixed at end 36 thereof to outdoor unit 14 via a vertical bar 54, which is fixed at least to the top portion of outdoor unit 14.

Horizontal bar 56 is fixed at a second end 38 thereof to the other vertical bar 54, which extends downwards.

Thus, air conditioner 10 is an easy-to-install device, as it provides an immediate mechanical installation separating indoor unit 12 from outdoor unit 14 unit, while occupying a relatively narrow space therebetween, which is of the width of horizontal bar 56, thus only a relatively narrow portion at the end of the window cannot be closed.

While uninstalled, indoor unit 12 is preferably folded by pivot 22 and an arm 24, for being disposed parallel to horizontal bar 56 of rack 16.

Pivot 20 allows rotating arm 24 holding indoor unit 12, for selecting the location of indoor unit 12 being in the erected state, for instance for not covering a portion of the window.

Refrigerant piping, water piping and electric wiring 25 cross within rack 16 from outdoor unit 14 to indoor unit 12.

Mounting rack 16 to the wall requires only leaning horizontal bar 56 on windowsill 52, and then preventing rotation in relation to the wall. The rotation prevention is obtained by tightening elements 30 and 18 extending from vertical bars 54 of rack 16 towards the wall. From tightening elements 30 and 18, at least tightening elements extending from one vertical bar 54 must be retractable. Tightening elements 30 and 18 may as well provide prevention of removal, which may be enforced by allowing locking at least one of tightening elements 30 and 18 at the tightened position thereof.

Indoor unit 12 may preferably be pivotally connected via a third pivot 28 providing rotation thereof as shown by the arrow in the figure, for directing the air to the selected direction, which preferably will be towards the center of the room.

FIG. 4 depicts another mode of use of the split air conditioner of FIG. 1.

Except for leaning rack 16 on a windowsill 52, another mode of use is disposing split air conditioner 10 on the floor. Outdoor unit 14 lies on the floor. Vertical bar 54, together with a pedestal 19, which may be extended from vertical bar 54 to the floor by releasing a blocker 17, supports indoor unit 12. Pedestal 19 and outdoor unit 14 may include wheels 42 for carrying the indoor and outdoor units as whole rendering it portable.

A longitudinal air separator 32 extending perpendicular to horizontal bar 56 of rack 16, and a telescopic extension 31 extending from longitudinal air separator 32, having the same width of rack 16, may be attached for filling the space of the width of horizontal bar 56. Longitudinal air separator 32 either being disposed above or below horizontal bar 56 is preferably a separable element, which may be attached to horizontal bar 56 by an attaching means, such as by a magnet 33, since no significant attaching force is required.

FIG. 5 depicts a deployment of the split air conditioner using the mode of FIG. 4, installed and viewed from the inside.

According to this mode, outdoor unit 14 may be located outside a door 40 of an apartment, and indoor unit 12 is located inside the apartment.

Longitudinal air separator 32 extending perpendicular to horizontal bar 56 of rack 16, and telescopic extension 31 extending from longitudinal air separator 32, is depicted filling the space of the width of horizontal bar 56 thereabove. Another longitudinal air separator 32 extending perpendicular to horizontal bar 56 of rack 16, is depicted filling the space of the width of horizontal bar 56 therebelow.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned:

-   -   numeral 10 denotes a split air conditioner according to one         embodiment of the present invention;     -   numeral 12 denotes an indoor unit;     -   numeral 14 denotes an outdoor unit;     -   numeral 16 denotes a rack connecting the indoor unit to the         outdoor unit;     -   numeral 17 denotes a blocking element for blocking or releasing         a pedestal from a vertical bar of the rack;     -   numeral 19 denotes a pedestal extending from a vertical bar of         the rack;     -   numeral 18 denotes a tightening element, for tightening the         vertical bar to the wall;     -   numerals 20 and 22 denote pivots from the rack to the indoor         unit;     -   numeral 24 denotes an arm extending from the rack to the indoor         unit;     -   numeral 25 denotes refrigerant piping, water piping and         electrical wiring crossing between the outdoor unit and the         indoor unit;     -   numeral 26 denotes a plug;     -   numeral 28 denotes a pivot;     -   numeral 30 denotes a tightening element, for tightening the         other vertical bar to the wall;     -   numeral 31 denotes an extension extending from a longitudinal         air separator;     -   numeral 32 denotes a longitudinal air separator;     -   numeral 33 denotes an attaching element, such as a magnet, for         attaching the longitudinal air separator to the horizontal bar         of the rack;     -   numeral 34 denotes a window frame;     -   numerals 36 and 38 denote ends of the horizontal bar;     -   numeral 40 denotes a door;     -   numeral 42 denotes a wheel for carrying the air conditioner;     -   numeral 44 denotes an arrow for illustrating the direction of         the condensate water;     -   numeral 50 denotes an internal side of a wall;     -   numeral 52 denotes a windowsill;     -   numeral 54 denotes a vertical bar of the rack; and     -   numeral 56 denotes a horizontal bar of the rack.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A split air conditioner (10), comprising: an indoor unit (12); an outdoor unit (14); said indoor unit (12) being connected to said outdoor unit (14) by a horizontal bar (16), thereby allowing using a windowsill (52) as a support to said split air conditioner (10); said indoor unit (12) being pivotally connected to said horizontal bar (16) by a horizontal pivot (20), a vertical pivot (22), and a longitudinal pivot (28) of said indoor unit (12); thereby providing to said indoor unit (12) ability to be directed to any direction.
 14. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 13, further comprising a vertical bar (54) extending downwards from said horizontal bar (16), for supporting said indoor unit (12) when being placed on a floor.
 15. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 14, wherein said vertical bar (54) is extendible, thereby allowing adjusting a vertical position of said vertical bar (54).
 16. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 14, further comprising at least one tightening element (18, 30), for securing said split air conditioner (10) to a wall.
 17. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 13, further comprising a water piping deployed (44) from said indoor unit (12) for collecting condensate water from said indoor unit (12) across said rack (16) by gravity.
 18. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 13, wherein said horizontal bar (56) is hollow, for housing piping and/or wiring.
 19. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 13, further comprising: a longitudinal air separator (32) attached to said horizontal bar (56), for separating air of an indoor environment from air of an outdoor environment, said longitudinal air separator (32) having a width substantially of said horizontal bar (56).
 20. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 19, wherein said longitudinal air separator (32) is attachable to said horizontal bar (56), thereby allowing attaching said longitudinal air separator (32) above and/or below said horizontal bar (56).
 21. A split air conditioner (10) according to claim 19, wherein the attachability is applied by a magnet (33). 